Suspect In Meyer’s Death Had Other Roommate Who Turned Up Dead

DENVER (CBS4) – CBS4 has learned a woman accused of killing her roommate had another roommate who sued her and was later found dead.

Melissa Miller, 54, of Lakewood, was taken into custody Monday afternoon and has been charged in the death of Leann “Annie” Meyer, her former roommate. Her previous roommate’s death was declared a suicide, but now her family thinks Miller may be responsible.

According to court documents obtained by CBS4, Stephanie Phye filed a lawsuit against Miller accusing her of stealing a large sum of money. A few weeks later Phye was found dead in her Denver apartment.

In June of 2003, with Phye’s permission, Miller withdrew $32,000 from Phye’s bank account and was supposed give the money to Phye, but that never happened. The suit claims Miller failed to return the money as promised.

“She had actually confronted this person and asked her for the $32,000 back,” attorney Christopher Dominick said. “This woman had said she would give her the money back and she never did.”

Just three weeks after filing the lawsuit against Miller Phye was found dead in an apparent suicide.

Members of Phye’s family say Miller’s controlling relationship with Phye and the theft of her money ultimately lead to her suicide. Because of Phye’s death the lawsuit was dropped and Miller never returned the money to Phye’s family.

“I’ve been doing this like 25 years,” Dominick said. “I’ve had clients die, but after the case was over; no, nothing like this before.”

CBS4’s Nina Sparano spoke with a friend of all three of the woman and she sheds more light on the complicated story. Watch what she has to say on Tuesday’s CBS4 News at 10.